With Yokohama being one of the treaty ports that opened Japan to the world, international influences flooded in, so it is no surprise there are Western-inspired historic buildings in the city.
The Yokohama Customs was built in 1934 and is one of 3 lovingly-named historic buildings across the street from each other. This one is the Queen for its circular lines that give it a noble lady look.
The Art Deco Kanagawa Prefectural Government's Office was built in 1928 with a central tower that looks like a pagoda.
The neo-Renaissance Port Opening Memorial Hall opened in 1917 to celebrate 50 years since the port's opening. Construction was funded by donations from city residents and the town hall site was chosen after the previous building burned down in 1906. While the interior was destroyed in the Great Earthquake, the 36m clock tower survived and the building was restored.
This site witnessed the signing of a treaty between the Americans and the Japanese in 1854 that opened Japan to the world, resulting in the opening of Yokohama's port to foreign trade. Subsequently, the British Office of Works designed a building for the British consulate here, which was built in 1931 and served until 1972. Today, it is a municipal archives museum.
The Indian fountain in Yamashita Park was built to commemorate the 28 Indians killed in the Great Earthquake and to thank the city's relief response, which included housing those affected.
The Daiichi Bank branch was built in 1929 and has been repurposed into offices and a co-working space.
This 1995 redevelopment has preserved the facade of the former Hon-cho Asahi Building, which was completed in 1930.
